There is not a single brand in the photography market that has such a prestigious name as LeicaPresent at major advances in photography throughout history, they now want to give a hit on the table They're also in the world of mobile photography, and they want to do it with Huawei—a big challenge. It will be the Huawei P9 the first to feature a Leica camera, but what can we expect from this camera and from a high-end smartphone?
A chamber of revolution
According to Leica in the statement published by both companies in February, they want to revolutionize the world of mobile photographyThat seems complex for several reasons. One of them is physics. If mobile phones don't capture better photos, it's mainly because their sensors are very smallWithout a larger sensor, it's difficult to achieve results similar to those we get from a CSC or DSLR camera. The photo below is from the Huawei P9, with its dual Leica camera setup. The sensor itself doesn't appear to be anything new. Furthermore, it will be 12 megapixels. This means it will follow the path of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Huawei P9, a resolution contained to achieve superior image quality. But that's not a revolution; it's the standard in today's high-end market.
According to the photograph, we can see that the smartphone will have laser focusThis is a very useful technology for focusing when taking a photograph. It's a technology worth considering. But it's not new. Even budget phones already had this technology. Furthermore, it shouldn't be considered a revolution in the world of mobile photography.
Two cameras?
Maybe the two cameras Yes, they could be a revolution. Huawei also joins the dual camera trendIt's not new; we've seen different phones with two cameras. From phones that captured 3D photos to phones capable of... subsequently modify the approach thanks to that second camera. If Leica is going to imitate any of these features, it won't be anything new. And therefore, it won't be revolutionary.
The truth is that if Leica has stood out for anything so far, it's for having high-quality optics and equipmentNot only in terms of possibilities, but also in terms of results. That is to say, photos taken with a Leica camera, or with Leica lenses, were of extremely high quality. The problem is that mobile phones offer very limited opportunities for lenses to be the key factor. In the P9, the key lies in combining a sensor RGB and other monochrome to merge color and detail, reducing noise and improving dynamic range.
Have they really found a clue?
According to the same photograph accompanying this post, the maximum aperture The aperture will be f/2,2. The Samsung Galaxy S7's camera has an aperture of f/1.8. The lower the number, the wider the aperture, and the more light it captures, resulting in better photos. In other words, it wouldn't be a better camera, at least on paper, than the Galaxy S7's.
But it's also true that when we talk about Leica, we're talking about another world, both in cameras and lenses. And it seems unlikely that they've decided to enter the mobile phone market, with all the prestige they have, unless they're convinced they have something unique It's going to be surprising. We'll see if this camera truly surprises, but what's certain is that we can't expect anything, good or bad, from this Leica camera. It only remains to be seen whether it will be just another camera in a highly competitive market, or if it truly represents a major revolution for the mobile market. In practice, the system adds sensors of 12 SM with 1,25 ÎĽm pixels and hybrid autofocus (laser + phase detection), 27 mm lenses and Leica profiles (Standard, Vivid Colors, Soft Colors) plus a Real Monochrome mode which takes advantage of the sensor without a color filter.
Design, display and construction
The P9 is betting on a aluminum body With clean lines, beveled corners, and 2.5D glass, it's 6,95 mm thick and weighs 144 g, feeling light and well-finished. The bezels are minimal (around 1,7 mm), and the rear glass strip at the top protects the two lenses, the laser, and the dual flash. The rear fingerprint reader is fast and accuratewith gestures for notifications or gallery.
The screen is a panel 5,2 inch IPS with Full HD resolution (423 ppi). It offers good contrast on the IPS panel, competitive brightness, and adjustable color via EMUI. The lower resolution is a decision that benefits the autonomy and graphics performancewithout sacrificing sharpness at this size.
Performance and hardware
Inside, the P9 integrates the chipset Kirin HiSilicon 955 with an octa-core CPU (Cortex-A72 + Cortex-A53) and Mali-T880 MP4 GPU, accompanied by 3/4 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of expandable storage via microSD (rumored to be 6 GB RAMThe combination moves the interface smoothly and runs demanding games correctly thanks to the Full HD resolution. In terms of connectivity, it adds LTE Cat.6, NFC, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou and USB-C.
The balance between a powerful CPU and a sufficient GPU, along with the lower power consumption of a 1080p panel, makes the P9 feel... agile in everyday life and is capable of multitasking. It lacks water resistance and optical image stabilization, two omissions that must be considered when comparing it to rivals of its time.
EMUI Software and Experience
Huawei resorts to EMUI on Android With a interface that does away with the app drawer, it focuses on themes, one-handed gestures, and a Simple mode. The energy-saving system is aggressive It also allows you to close or restrict resource-intensive apps. The fingerprint reader adds useful gestures and integrates with secure app access.
The camera app stands out for a pro mode full (ISO, shutter speed, balance, manual focus) and support RAW (DNG)In addition to separating focus and metering with gestures, the Leica profiles feature a recognizable aesthetic touch and provide chromatic consistency.
Camera modes, video, and real-world quality
The P9 performs very well in good light: lots of detail due to the fusion with the monochrome sensor and natural color with good white balance. It tends to underexpose Slightly, something that can be corrected in Pro or with compensation. Monochrome mode is not a filter: the sensor captures without a Bayer filter deep blacks and an outstanding dynamic range in grayscale.
Creative modes include Panoramic High resolution, Night mode with long exposures (up to ~30s, ideal with a tripod), light painting, and the famous effect bokeh with simulated aperture (from f/0,95). The latter achieves striking bokeh, although in complex crops it can look artificial.
On video, record up to 1080p is 60 fps It has good contrast and competent electronic stabilization. It offers slow motion at 120 fps in 720p. The lack of a 4K mode is a real shame. OISalthough the stereo audio is clear and has good gain.
The front camera is 8 SM with bright optics (aperture that varies between f/2.0 and f/2.4 depending on the version), beauty mode and flash on screenFor selfies and video calls, it offers pleasant sharpness and color.
Autonomy and charging
With 3.000 mAhThe P9 easily surpasses a typical day with mixed use. EMUI allows you to switch between performance and power-saving modes, and even a profile that reduce the resolution to squeeze in extra hours. Fast wired charging via USB-C replenishes a high percentage in a short time, with competitive figures for its category.
Those seeking longer battery life can look at the Plus variant, which adds a larger screen and greater capacity. In both cases, the balance of a 1080p screen and Kirin processor translates into... good efficiency.
- Cameras: 12 MP (RGB) + 12 MP (monochrome), f/2.2, 27 mm, pixel 1,25 ÎĽm, laser + PDAF, EIS; front 8 MP.
- Screen: 5,2-inch IPS, 1080p, 423 ppi, 2.5D glass.
- chip: Kirin 955, 3/4 GB RAM, 32/64 GB + microSD.
- Connectivity: LTE Cat.6, NFC, BT 4.2, Wi-Fi ac, USB-C, GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou.
- Battery3.000 mAh with fast wired charging.
Leica and Huawei made a different bet: instead of chasing raw numbers, the P9 focused on consistency, creative modes and its own unique photographic aesthetic. Its dual RGB+monochrome camera, the EMUI experience, and balanced hardware make it a very solid device for those who value the picture quality and the careful design.
